"Mate" update
 

My father's day weekend was all about a trip to Louisiana to pick up my new pup. We lost our old male lab about March last year and after the tears, started looking for a pup. We got "Mate! He's now about 8 1/2 months, just shy of 80# of raw energy. Got him in the field for the first time opening weekend of Dove season (4 1/2 months old) and we had a huge time. Did ALL the stupid pup things but managed several very encouraging retrieves including one into a stand of cattails in our waterhole, barked at the cows that tried to interrupt us, and got more mud into the seat of the Polaris than I thought possible. Unfortunately a pending hip replacement ruined our duck season but that soon will be done and spring will be train, train, and train with next fall in mind.
Field pics are doves at 4 1/2 mos., inside is a couple of weeks ago. And, yes, he's a slober monster!

Beautiful pup. Just love those black labs.

Keith, it's amazing how one's optimism can soar with a new pup. I will also tell you from experience, your life will be better with a new hip, too.

Beautiful pups and photos! You'll be fine after the hip replacement and a lot happier without the pain. Your pup won't miss a beat!